By Rick Reeno

There are ongoing discussions to finalize a lightweight encounter between unbeaten Sharif Bogere (23-0, 15KOs) and Cuban fighter Richard Abril (17-3-1, 8KOs), with the vacant WBA title at stake. If a deal comes together, the match would become the Showtime televised opener for Golden Boy's card on October 13th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares is also scheduled to see action on the show.

Abril was initially positioned to face Gavin Rees in a UK encounter in the fall, but BoxingScene was told the deal was never fully finalized and later fell apart.